I think I just set a combat sports record!!!

On Saturday, March 17th, I participated in the "Valhalla MMA/MuayThai Day" event in Sterling, VA....

1. I was the promoter of the MuayThai portion of the event
2. I was the event organizer, responsible for weigh-ins, fighters meetings, and officials meetings
3. I was the Emcee for the MuayThai matches
4. I was the Referee for the MuayThai matches
5. I helped 6 of the 12 participating MuayThai fighters prepare for this event
6. I fought on the card (exhibition bout)

My co-promoter (Scott Howard of Fightworks in Sterling, VA) and I honestly cannot think of anyone else who has ever worn so many "hats" during the course of a combat sports event!

BY THE WAY.....

I still have commemorative "MuayThai Day" tshirts for sale! $20/each. Contact me for more information at:

I never had the opportunity to go pro. I was on the verge of doing so back in 2004. I had intended to fight a few more amateur bouts and turn pro in 2005, but the last 3 fights I had penciled in for 2004 all fell through, and then I injured my leg which put me out of commission for the last 2 years. This was my first time back in the ring since September of 2004.

It was an exhibition match because I had not trained for this event at all. I was only supposed to be the promoter/organizer/official. But one of the fighters opponents didn't show up, and since the fight was scheduled for the main event, I really didn't want to cancel his fight... it would have been a huge disappointment to him, his team, and a lot of folks who came to see his match.

We agreed on an exhibition with the understanding that I had not trained to fight at all, and that its been years since I've fought. The fight went well. Neither of us tried to kill the other. We just had fun and fought! The fight, being an exhibition, was not judged. If it had, I think my opponent would have won. I was looking at the tape and I'm pretty confident that I won round #1, my opponent won round #2, and round #3 was close. I think he would have gotten the edge for being busier than I was. I was landing more scoring techniques and was moving forwards, but he was significantly busier than I was. Tough call, but I think he deserved the decision.

The fight was posted on YouTube by someone from one of the gyms I work at, but I don't have the link. Try looking up "Brooks" + "MuayThai".....

I emcee'd and referee'd the first 4 out of 6 MuayThai matches. The last 2 matches were handled by the other officials that were on hand.

Whupyass....

I could not have beaten Matt this time. I was completely out of gas at the end of round 1. However, had I actually been training for this, I think it would have been a good match. I don't know if I could beat Matt anymore. In 2004, my last go-around as a fighter, I think I could have.... but now? Not likely.... Maybe after I get in better shape and train some more.

I've extended Matt the open invitation for us to continue doing these "exhibition" bouts. As we all know, most times an "exhibition" bout is just as real a fight as one that counts. Make no mistake, Matt was going easy on me and not trying to take advantage of me. He went hard enough to push me around and please the crowd, but he wasn't trying to hurt me or finish me off early.